2023-04-16 19:58:29
Greeks have been trapped in the crossfire in Khartoum, Sudan, while the fighting between army forces and paramilitary groups continues with unabated tension for a second day.
In the metropolis, in the center of the city, about 15 Greeks were trapped, the Metropolitan of Nubia, Savvas, told Alpha on Easter Sunday.
As he spoke, gunshots rang out continuously. “It was impossible for anyone to get out,” he explained. “We have a problem. I have people who have been trapped here since the Saturday morning service. No one had informed us that something would happen in Sudan,” he added.
For his part, the honorary consul of Greece, Gerasimos Pagoulatos, stated that the lives of both injured are not in any danger, however they are hospitalized in order to perform the necessary operations to remove the fragments from the legs of one and from the abdomen of the other.
In a communication he had with one of the wounded, he said that the reason the operation has not been done yet is because of the fighting which makes it impossible for civilians to move. “Their health is good, of course they also have their anxieties if and when the operation will take place and of course when the civil war that started yesterday, Saturday, will end,” he said.
Yesterday the Foreign Ministry advised Greeks to avoid traveling to Sudan unless absolutely necessary.
Two Greeks in the hospital
It is recalled that two members of the Greek parish were injured, on Saturday (15/04), by the explosion of a rocket near the church, in which the resurrection service had just ended. The Metropolitan of Nubia and All Sudan, Savvas, stated that, at the time of the service of the First Resurrection, the church was surrounded by tanks and soldiers. “The situation was dangerous,” he said, “so the operation was cut short.”
“The two Greeks who had warned about the situation outside the church, when they left the building to return from their residence, were seriously injured by a rocket. Both have been taken to hospital where it will be decided whether they will undergo surgery or not. They are hitting the Metropolis with bullets, there are Greek flags outside and this has never happened before. The situation is very bad, smoke is coming from everywhere. Apparently, ministries have been hit because around the Metropolis are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice, the Palace. Apparently, they’re hitting the Ministries, from what I imagine, because you can’t go out, it’s very dangerous,” he added characteristically.
The competent authorities are in constant communication with the metropolitan of Nubia – The EU mechanism was also mobilized
The crisis management mechanism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is being mobilized for the safety of the Greeks who are trapped in Khartoum, Sudan in the crossfire of the conflicts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its announcement on Sunday emphasizes that the Greek embassy in Cairo is in constant contact with Metropolitan Savvas of Nubia.
In addition, the embassy in Cairo is in contact with the EU Delegation in Sudan and “it was agreed to provide assistance from the EU Delegation, for the safety of the Greeks in Sudan”.
At the same time, Athens is also in contact with the metropolitan.
“The main concern at this time remains the safety of Greeks in Sudan”, emphasizes the ministry, which reiterates the recommendation to avoid travel to the country unless there is an absolute need.
The announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from the first moment that the security situation in Sudan worsened, due to the armed conflicts there, immediately issued a Notice asking Greeks in Sudan to observe the maximum possible security measures and to avoid unnecessary movements.
At the same time, following the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, our Embassy in Cairo, which has a parallel accreditation in Sudan, is in constant contact with the Metropolitan of Nubia, Mr. Savvas. In addition, the Greek Ambassador in Cairo contacted the head of the EU Delegation in Sudan (Khartoum) and it was agreed that the EU Delegation would provide assistance for the safety of Greeks in Sudan. The Ambassador of Greece in Cairo is also in communication with the President of the Greek Community in Khartoum.
By order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was immediately activated, which is in communication and coordination with the other EU member states through the Consular Cooperation system. The Crisis Management Unit is also in communication with Metropolitan Savvas.
The main concern at this time remains the safety of Greeks in Sudan. It is necessary to observe what is mentioned in yesterday’s relevant instructions given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two injured Greeks are in a hospital and so far there is no information about other Greeks injured. For anything newer there will be a relevant update.
Source ieidiseis.gr
#Sudan #Greeks #locked #church #Khartoum #Metropolitan #Nubia #Savvas #originally #Halki